Wednesday, December 3, 2014

I've
been thinking a lot this month of the past 30 years of my life and the things I
have learned. I can't wait to see a new list when I'm 60 :) As I've realized
all that the Lord has taught me, I've come to see the beauty of each of them
(albeit the difficulties) and how related to truth and God's word they are. He
is in the business of redemption, and I'm grateful He's showing me that in my
own life. So, here goes.

Thirty
things I learned before turning thirty:

Laughter is good for the heart (Proverbs 17:22)

The Lord truly is so near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit
(Psalm 34:18)

Thursday, October 9, 2014

You are faithful, God.

It has been a challenging few months, for several reasons.
I think we can all admit that change can be hard at times, primarily because it
messes with the false belief that we have control over our lives. There has
been an onslaught of change in my life. Some of it has been so wonderful, and
others of it just the opposite. The truth about the Lord that He keeps
reminding me of is that He is faithful.

His care for His
children never wanes and His love never falters. That is great hope for us. He
truly is my greatest joy, and it’s been in the restless nights and difficult
days that I have come to understand the reality of that. It’s my prayer that
His faithfulness would be so evident to all of us who are His children; that His glory would be our greatest desire.

When you cannot
trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.

Charles Spurgeon

Time
flies!

I have now been on staff at NEXT Worldwide for over a month
now, and boy does time fly! I feel like I don't even know where September went. My first day on the job, I was given tasks and
projects. If you know me, you know the “gotta go, gotta do!” in me was so
happy. It was decided before I started, that I would be placed on
the mobilization team during “non trip” season. At mobilization, we do just
that: mobilize. We are the front door for the churches, colleges, and ministries
partnering with us for mission trips. It has been so fun working with the guys on
my team as we seek to mobilize and get youth, and men and women, out on the
mission field!

I can’t thank each of you enough for the myriad of ways you have supported me, prayed for me, encouraged me, and loved me. I am truly so grateful.

First day on the new job! I sent this photo to my mom :)

Travel

Trips for 2015 have been "set" (with the realization that things can change!) Right now, I am set to lead 5 trips. I can't begin to explain how excited I am about this! When I think about the people I will meet, the cultures I will enter into, the changes I will see, and the love I will have- my heart just wants to burst. I feel so designed for this, and it's the grace of God that I can say that. I would love to have your continued prayers!

Myself

I want my life to be marked by the love of Christ. I long to know Him deeper every day and make Him known, here and across the globe. He is our only hope, and in Him is life and joy that nothing and no one else can offer. I pray to be used as a testament of His grace!